Loft Insulation & Grants (merged)

Poppycat

I think you can get it free if your on working families tax credit too. Watch out for gaps because the devils may only do parts you can see as did ours, they left large areas uncovered at the edges whioch caused condensation problems, water running down the walls.We dont have water in the loft and itw asnt water penetration it was sorted when I finsihed the job off properly.

superscotsman

About 18 months ago this woman came round to my door, said she was from the local authority, accused me of causing global warming, and said I needed 12 inches of insulation in the loft. (There are already 4 inches up there.) Since the floor joists are only 4 inches high, one wonders how you are going to put a floor on.

You will find that there are firms that have done deals with the local authorities, and that is was the case here. After giving this stupid woman the third degree, I found out that she was not employed by the local authority at all, but worked for a firm that had done such a deal with them.

The fact that I have a degree in physics means that they cannot fool me, and don't let them fool you or scare you. Global warming is a natural process, and is largely caused by factors that are totally out of your control. If you want to insulate your loft, instead of putting 12 inches of mineral wool up there, just fill the cavities with the stuff. After reinforcing the joists with metal rods or 4 x 2 s, you can put a floor on, and carpet the floor. You can then use the place for storage or even convert it to a room.

If you can't wear a mask while laying the mineral wool, you can fill the cavities with polystyrene beads or polystyrene peanuts.

Fraserca

Agree with some of what Superscotsman says -

But whatever you do don't use Polystyrene beads for loft insulation. Serious fire risk as it burns very hot, melts and drips...

What you need to use is Vermiculite - a natural mineral that insulates but doesn't burn.

lady123_2

superscotsman wrote:

About 18 months ago this woman came round to my door, said she was from the local authority, accused me of causing global warming, and said I needed 12 inches of insulation in the loft. (There are already 4 inches up there.) Since the floor joists are only 4 inches high, one wonders how you are going to put a floor on.

You will find that there are firms that have done deals with the local authorities, and that is was the case here. After giving this stupid woman the third degree, I found out that she was not employed by the local authority at all, but worked for a firm that had done such a deal with them.

The fact that I have a degree in physics means that they cannot fool me, and don't let them fool you or scare you. Global warming is a natural process, and is largely caused by factors that are totally out of your control. If you want to insulate your loft, instead of putting 12 inches of mineral wool up there, just fill the cavities with the stuff. After reinforcing the joists with metal rods or 4 x 2 s, you can put a floor on, and carpet the floor. You can then use the place for storage or even convert it to a room.

If you can't wear a mask while laying the mineral wool, you can fill the cavities with polystyrene beads or polystyrene peanuts.

how easy easy is it to strenthen the joists, and how do you do it?thanks

Poppycat

You can get grants for heating too, in my case I can get a grant up to £1500, so we are awaiting them to come and replace our boiler whicg is packing up and I can't afford to replace it as it would be £800+. Just hope boiler last that long.

sal

I'm currently looking to further insulate my loft and install cavity wall insulation. Have contacted a few organisations and checked on the net, should be getting someone out in a few weeks (!) to give us a survey. British Gas could come sooner but they are twice the price of the others.

My question is...why do they quote more for loft insulation if you already have it, albeit only to a paltry couple of inches? They say they lay the new stuff on top so it's not like I'm paying them to remove the old stuff.

Puzzled, sal

manic

Does anybody know the alternatives to mineral wool for loft insulation?

I think I saw something that has been made from recycled paper in one of the Channel 4 programs (Grand Designs or Property Ladder), but I can't find any info on it.

helen21_2

sal wrote:

I'm currently looking to further insulate my loft and install cavity wall insulation. Have contacted a few organisations and checked on the net, should be getting someone out in a few weeks (!) to give us a survey. British Gas could come sooner but they are twice the price of the others.

My question is...why do they quote more for loft insulation if you already have it, albeit only to a paltry couple of inches? They say they lay the new stuff on top so it's not like I'm paying them to remove the old stuff.

Puzzled, sal

Apparently its because they are encouraging people with none, not those with some.

superscotsman

lady123 wrote:

how easy easy is it to strenthen the joists, and how do you do it?thanks

You can do it with steel or stainless steel tubes or rods. I am afraid you will have to look up the required size as I do not have the size to hand. I am currently doing mine with 4 x 2s and (I think) 4 inch nails. There are I understand lots of DIY loft floors out there that have not been reinforced. I wouldn't risk that.

craggy_2

Does anybody know how the grants apply to people in rented accomodation?I am renting a house which i dont think is properly insulated but the landlord is unwilling to pay to insulate - I am in receipt of benefit,would i be able to get it done with this in mind?